EPA Encourages Americans to Only Flush Toilet Paper

WASHINGTON (March 30, 2020) —
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging all
Americans to only flush toilet paper, not disinfecting wipes or other
non-flushable items that should be disposed of in the trash. Flushing only
toilet paper helps ensure that the toilets, plumbing, sewer systems and septic
systems will continue working properly to safely manage our nation’s
wastewater. While EPA encourages disinfecting your environment to prevent the
spread of COVID-19, never flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable
items. These easy steps will keep surfaces disinfected and wastewater
management systems working for all Americans.

Preventable toilet and sewer
backups can pose a threat to human health and present an extra challenge to our
water utilities and their workforce. Flushing anything other than toilet paper,
including disinfecting wipes, can damage internal plumbing, local sewer systems
and septic systems. Fixing these backups is costly and takes time and resources
away from ensuring that wastewater management systems are otherwise working
properly. EPA thanks wastewater utilities and their workforce for their
courageous efforts at a time when resources may be stretched thin. Having fully
operational wastewater services is critical to containing COVID-19 and
protecting Americans from other public health risks. Our nation’s wastewater
employees are everyday heroes who are on the frontline of protecting human
health and the environment every single day.